tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12908820.post115554962925903897..comments2024-03-14T22:55:24.426+08:00Comments on Mr Wang Bakes Good Karma: Bored With Work?Gilbert Koh aka Mr Wanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027678080233274309noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12908820.post-1155900307837375192006-08-18T19:25:00.000+08:002006-08-18T19:25:00.000+08:00Our present generation of university grads have be...<I>Our present generation of university grads have been enjoying the luxuries of a high-tech, usually anti-social world such that they tend to be ignorant or unappreciative of the basics such as the dignity of honest labor regardless of position/work, and the art of getting along with all kinds of people from boss to co-workers.</I><BR/><BR/>Oh yes, the timeless "haiz what's with the youth these le radical galoisienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14684821442296479803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12908820.post-1155897345239942912006-08-18T18:35:00.000+08:002006-08-18T18:35:00.000+08:00Excuse me hor ... I just want to remind everyone t...Excuse me hor ... I just want to remind everyone that doing high-value work is not incompatible with "dignity" or "honest labour".<BR/><BR/>The low performers can enjoy the dignity of honest, low-value labour ... I prefer to try to be in the position to enjoy the dignity of honest, HIGH-value labour.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12908820.post-1155893676557986602006-08-18T17:34:00.000+08:002006-08-18T17:34:00.000+08:00Oh, to enjoy the dignity of honest labor, you can ...Oh, to enjoy the dignity of honest labor, you can always go and wash the dishes, wipe the windows, mop the floor in your own home. <BR/><BR/>In the workplace, for your own good, you better try harder to move away from menial work.<BR/><BR/>Once you've seen a company restructuring exercise happen before your eyes and the "low-value-add" workers eliminated in one fell swoop, you will better Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12908820.post-1155891161273900052006-08-18T16:52:00.000+08:002006-08-18T16:52:00.000+08:00There is certainly a generation gap between the wo...There is certainly a generation gap between the work force of yesteryears and the present batch of university grads entering the work force nowadays. <BR/><BR/>Our present generation of university grads have been enjoying the luxuries of a high-tech, usually anti-social world such that they tend to be ignorant or unappreciative of the basics such as the dignity of honest labor regardless of Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12908820.post-1155778122136931262006-08-17T09:28:00.000+08:002006-08-17T09:28:00.000+08:00As I've said earlier, my own view is that whether ...As I've said earlier, my own view is that whether a task is menial or not is subjective, and the individual is the best, perhaps the only, judge, for that.<BR/><BR/>Wiping tables at a hawker centre could be a challenging task for an individual with subnormal IQ. <BR/><BR/>Running a statutory board could be a menial task for Goh Chok Tong.<BR/><BR/>When an employee feels that he's doing menial Gilbert Koh aka Mr Wanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01027678080233274309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12908820.post-1155739568462855432006-08-16T22:46:00.000+08:002006-08-16T22:46:00.000+08:00No one says you should be stuck at a dead end job ...No one says you should be stuck at a dead end job for years without any asking questions. The problem is when people enter jobs and straightaway expect everything to be handed only "important" tasks, and shun the so-called menial tasks. There's a difference between being patient, and being a non-achiever. <BR/><BR/><BR/>MugsterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12908820.post-1155712292209790902006-08-16T15:11:00.000+08:002006-08-16T15:11:00.000+08:00mrbigfattummy said... "There will always be people...mrbigfattummy said... <BR/>"There will always be people who go through any system and come out successful."<BR/><BR/>If you're a believer of the Bell curve, then the question could be where the mean of the curve is (assuming we can even measure the quality of the output by the system). I'm suggesting that the mean was comfortably placed such that most local graduates were doing well. <BR/><BR/>ItAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12908820.post-1155704687119927242006-08-16T13:04:00.000+08:002006-08-16T13:04:00.000+08:00Just to divert a little. A Hongkong businessman to...Just to divert a little. A Hongkong businessman told me, a long time ago, that it was never meaningful to work for others. <BR/><BR/>Be your own boss and then, even sweeping the floor of your office becomes meaningful, if you don't feel like employing someone else to do the job.<BR/><BR/>:)Whispers from the hearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00033316941375770997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12908820.post-1155692087009148412006-08-16T09:34:00.000+08:002006-08-16T09:34:00.000+08:00Both issues - of not being realistic, versus aimin...Both issues - of not being realistic, versus aiming for a non-menial job, are both pertinent. The problem is the author conflates them.<BR/><BR/>At the same time individuals are prohibited to form unions that will collectively get them benefits (as a counterweight against corporate power).le radical galoisienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14684821442296479803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12908820.post-1155690586025862242006-08-16T09:09:00.000+08:002006-08-16T09:09:00.000+08:00Haha! Your big, successful people who started out ...Haha! Your big, successful people who started out with menial jobs are PRECISELY the kind of people who were IMPATIENT with menial jobs! That is why they are so SUCCESSFUL! Because they are always saying, "This is a stupid job! I want a better job! I want a bigger challenge! How can I move on to something BIGGER!".<BR/><BR/>Go and read the story of people like Ron Sim! (CEO of OSIM).<BR/><BR/>It Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12908820.post-1155662282479270322006-08-16T01:18:00.000+08:002006-08-16T01:18:00.000+08:00I don't think this article is particularly badly w...I don't think this article is particularly badly written. <BR/><BR/>Perhaps you could relate this issue to a recent article I read about some of the richest people in Singapore. They started out with unglamorous, seemingly menial jobs and are magnates today. Truth of the matter is, we associate jobs today with snazzy business suits, power lunches and a good lifestyle. Young people are not Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12908820.post-1155634034660598722006-08-15T17:27:00.000+08:002006-08-15T17:27:00.000+08:00mrbigfattummy said... "Well, I would be interested...mrbigfattummy said... <BR/>"Well, I would be interested in seeing what arguments you have to support the above statement."<BR/><BR/>I meant the formal system, but including tertiary education if you like. Very simply, successful locals who graduated from the local system demonstrates the effectiveness of the local system. Bankers, analysts, lawyers, scientists, singers, musicians, etc. There are Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12908820.post-1155620312552998162006-08-15T13:38:00.000+08:002006-08-15T13:38:00.000+08:00My penny worht of opinion. It is a matter of matc...My penny worht of opinion. <BR/><BR/>It is a matter of matching your aspirations and the reality of working life.<BR/><BR/>For example, undergrads were taught Merger and Acquisition during their, with some fully expecting to come out and start buying up companies. So it may take a while before reality sinks in.<BR/><BR/>It is in the mindset also. Menial tasks can be also challenging. Why not Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12908820.post-1155605237925088102006-08-15T09:27:00.000+08:002006-08-15T09:27:00.000+08:00From my understanding, over 20% gets a place at on...From my understanding, over 20% gets a place at one of the local universities while over 60% are awarded diplomas.<BR/><BR/>The educational system is not flawed; it is not creating apolitical, non-motivated, pampered brats with non-realistic expectations.<BR/><BR/>The educational system is, however, a convenient red herring at this time of the year for the past donkey years that I can remember.<Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12908820.post-1155603148384692042006-08-15T08:52:00.000+08:002006-08-15T08:52:00.000+08:00You forget another important aspect of Singapore.O...You forget another important aspect of Singapore.<BR/><BR/>Our job market is fully wide open any Tom,Dick,or Harry.<BR/><BR/>Theoretical,6 billio people are welcome to be employed in Singapore,the best open country in the world,jobs wise that is.<BR/><BR/>I challenge anyone who can find another country on this earth that can challenge Singapore to this most liberal policy,the answer is NONE.<BR/>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12908820.post-1155594108891811472006-08-15T06:21:00.000+08:002006-08-15T06:21:00.000+08:00Let's not forget that in the past, only 5-10% of e...Let's not forget that in the past, only 5-10% of each cohort goes to university, and they end up in more challenging jobs. Nowadays, with 30-40% of each cohort going to university (and another 20-30% going to poly), plus the fact that the old foggies aren't retiring early enough, there's simply not enough challenging jobs to go around.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12908820.post-1155592525999659602006-08-15T05:55:00.000+08:002006-08-15T05:55:00.000+08:00I don't see it as an education thing, primarily - ...I don't see it as an education thing, primarily - because whatever your educational qualifications may be, you may still end up in a job doing things which, to you, are menial (and this does not happen only in your first job). It's all relative to yourself, you see. You may for instance be a cardiac surgeon and grow to find routine bypass heart surgery rather menial.Gilbert Koh aka Mr Wanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01027678080233274309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12908820.post-1155572013468080362006-08-15T00:13:00.000+08:002006-08-15T00:13:00.000+08:00Perhaps it is yet another symptom of a defective p...Perhaps it is yet another symptom of a defective policy - the perceived superiority of a JC education, rather than to recognise the merits of the different routes we have as well as the different needs of the students to which these routes cater for.<BR/><BR/>As a result, we get parents who insist their child goes through the JC system despite their reluctance, because it's the "shortest path to Xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08745674616876680390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12908820.post-1155563497021768242006-08-14T21:51:00.000+08:002006-08-14T21:51:00.000+08:00Anon, many of the most successful people who I kno...Anon, many of the most successful people who I know in investment banking have NUS degrees from the less popular faculties. I think it is actually the minority who have degrees from brand-name unis.hugewhalesharkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05464651179214970834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12908820.post-1155562306369659912006-08-14T21:31:00.000+08:002006-08-14T21:31:00.000+08:00come on, be realistic. when your grades aren't goo...come on, be realistic. when your grades aren't good enough for that coveted dream place in ____ faculty, you just go for whatever that gets you a degree. mommy and daddy aren't well-to-do, so can't send you overseas okay?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12908820.post-1155561705010105882006-08-14T21:21:00.000+08:002006-08-14T21:21:00.000+08:00A lot of these people has only themselves to blame...A lot of these people has only themselves to blame. They enrolled in university majoring in something they have little or no interest in. After graduation, they are stuck in a job doing what they hate. So they show little enthusiasm, complaining about their jobs all day long. They know what they don't like, yet if you probed them further, they are absolutely clueless about what they want to do Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12908820.post-1155561617998056772006-08-14T21:20:00.000+08:002006-08-14T21:20:00.000+08:00Nur is obviously unclear about what she is advocat...Nur is obviously unclear about what she is advocating - passion about work or acceptance of menial drudgery.<BR/><BR/>The question that I find myself asking is this - do young adults these days have what it takes to do "important work" and not to have to "report every little thing to the boss"?<BR/><BR/>Do they have the initiative and resourcefulness, the ability to learn independently, the hugewhalesharkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05464651179214970834noreply@blogger.com